Business Case Studies & Business Publications

Willy Buys a Car

Fairchild, Gregory...

Case

Willy Buys a Car

Fairchild, Gregory B.; Fairchild, Tierney; Black, Christina; Jones, Liz Ivaniw

F-1871 | Published July 1, 2019 | 13 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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Product Details

For the past three months, Willy Fuller has been working as a fry cook at Hal's Café. He has no car, and due to the unpredictability of the bus service, Willy has been late to work several days. His boss has told him that if he is late again, he will be fired. Willy can't afford to lose his job. His family relies on him to pitch in $500 a month for food and household expenses, as well as $200 a month for his grandmother's medical bills. He also tries to save $400 a month for his college fund. Something has to change, so he finally decides that it is time to get a car. This case explores the details of buying a car, from the pros and cons of buying new versus used, to negotiating with a dealership over the terms of a loan, to budgeting for car expenses.

Participants will be introduced to differences between buying new and used; differences between buying from a dealership and a private owner; the features of a car loan; information about car pricing; ways to negotiate with a dealer; and how to budget for car expenses.